Have you ever given it thought to run for public office? Would you like to volunteer your time to assist the Town of Winchester? Do you have experience and talents that can benefit the Town? Well if so, here are a few important things you need to know in order to be considered.
1. You must be registered voter at your Winchester address.
2. You must come into Town Hall prior to the deadline on February 5, 2019 to register as an official candidate for public office. We need your signature, you cannot send a friend or family member.
3. You must circulate a nomination petition with 50 signatures of voter sin Winchester who sign to support your candidacy.
4. Return you papers to the Town Clerk's Office for approval.
5. Decide if you will establish a Candidate Committee to promote your election campaign.
6. Get out the vote!
The following offices will be on the ballot this year: Moderator for 1- year term; two members for the Select Board for 3-year terms; one member for the Planning Board for 3-year terms; one member for the Planning Board for a 1 year term; two members for the School Committee for 3-year terms; one member for the Housing Authority for 5-year term; one member for the Board of Assessors for a 3-year term; one member for the Board of Health for a 3-year term; two members for the Board of Library Trustees for 3-year terms.
In addition, in each of the Town's eight precincts, eight 3-year town meeting member terms will be on the ballot. (For a total of 64 town meetings seats) Precincts 3, 4 and 8 also have vacancies in office due to resignations that occurred throughout the year. Precinct 3 has (1) one year term; Precinct 4 has (1) one year term as well as (1) two year term; and Precinct 8 has (2) one year terms and (1) two year term.
Signature of fifty registered voters are required for nomination to town-wide office; ten signatures from the candidates precinct are needed for town meeting. Incumbent town meeting members are not required to obtain signatures, and have been notified by the Town Clerk to return the letter that was mailed to their attention on December 26, 2019 with their signature indicating if they would like to appear on the ballot or not.
The last day to take out nomination papers for any office is 5:00 PM Thursday, January 31, 2019. Signed nomination papers must be submitted for certification no later than 5:00 PM Tuesday, February 5. 2019.
If you are interested to run for office or if you are interested to see who may be running, please contact the Town Clerk's Office at 781-721-7130 or email us at townclerk@winchester.us if you have questions.
Information can also be found on the Town Clerk's page here.